Simply Wild’s facility is actually two different properties both located near Masvingo, but each property has a different focus.  Both are within approximately 20 kms of the town of Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Located in the South of Zimbabwe this facility's Cotopaxi Ranch and Simply Wild properties are situated in a mountainous area near or on Lake Kyle, and Kyle National Park.  Nearby are the Great Zimbabwe Ruins which date back to the 12th century.

                The Cotopaxi Ranch facility is situated on 2300 hectares of varied terrain with many different species of flora and fauna.  Animal species include: namely a herd of 20 foot and mouth free buffalo that were introduced some 5 years ago and have been gaining in numbers from year to year. It also has a herd of Sable Antelope approximately 35 in number and likewise are increasing in numbers every year. The balance of species are your typical plains game animals such as eland, kudu, zebra, waterbuck impala, giraffe plus your smaller species such as warthog, duiker, baboon etc.  Recent developments with the local Chriumbira Community have expanded the Cotopaxi acreage to 4000 hectares.   In addition to which, it is in the process of establishing the Masvingo Wildlife Conservancy which will bring in neighboring properties to increase total acreage of the Conservancy.  A major focus of this facility in addition to the wildlife is a horse breeding program for tourism and trail rides.  Currently there are 40 horses at the property.   The mangers of this facility all use the John Lyons training techniques, and are big supporters of this training technique. 

                The Simply Wild property is positioned between the Glen Livet and Beza mountain Ranges, directly on Lake Kyle and adjacent to Kyle National Park.  The property is 1000 hectares and recent arrangements with National Parks have granted Simply Wild the rights to lake front property, opening up a new range of possibilities for water and tourism activities.  Due to this property’s unique location it has so much to offer visitors. Not only can you see rhino and buffalo in the neighboring park but Simply Wild itself also has one of the largest captive lion breeding operations in the country with some 65 lions from eight different blood lines. The objective of the lions is not only to allow visitors to interact with them, but to develop a walking safari with lions on the property in the near future.  Simply Wild is also the home of sable, antelope, tssessbe eland, zebra, kudu, klipspringer, giraffe and bush buck, and hippo and croc in the Lake.   A herd of foot and mouth disease free buffalo will soon be an addition to this location.   The ultimate goal for Simply Wild is to be a family orientated wildlife sanctuary that educates people on conservation and the importance of breeding programs. 

Accommodation

Cotopaxi:

Fully furnished bungalows, with hot and cold running water, ablutions facilities, and dining area.  Laundry and Cleaning services are provided in your weekly rate per week.  Internet service is available using the office E-mail on site.  Otherwise, internet service is available in Masvingo at one of the numerous internet cafés.  There is transportation to and from Masvingo town everyday. 

Simply Wild:

Intern’s will share a two-story chalet with kitchenette, ablutions, and lounge facilities.   At the present time, a cook and housecleaner will be provided for the interns, as well as laundry service.  Internet service is available at either the Cotopaxi facility or in Masvingo.   There will be transportation to and from this property daily to Masvingo or Cotopaxi. 

Both the Cotopaxi and Simply Wild facilities are within reach for MARS (Medical Air Rescue Service) should there be an extreme emergency.  Otherwise, as with most of the facilities, there is a private clinic in town.   In Masvingo interns can access tennis and squash courts, as well as the golf course. 

Chalet at Simply Wild

Projects

Please note that this facility would prefer interns stay for longer than the minimum 5 weeks if possible

Cotopaxi

Simply Wild

• Buffalo breeding: Management of the buffalo herd, tagging each animal and establishing a database on births, deaths, blood lines, dipping, and any medical attention
• Game Range Management:  Planned rotational grazing of the ranch with either the cattle herd or buffalo.  Construction of game fence, and wildlife management of species in and out of the fences. 
• Horse Breeding: Establishment of a database which lists the bloodlines of each horse, breeding records, any medical care, dipping dates, births of foals, etc.  Help in the months of October to December when foaling occurs.  Aid with the selection, breeding and training of a new breed (Aztecas) the facility wants to introduce.  Anyone with ferrier experience is asked to apply.  Anyone familiar or interested in the John Lyons training technique is also asked to enquire and apply. 
• Sustainable Agriculture Training:  Help the staff of the Ranch, as well as the local Chriumbira Community identify and establish planting sites, and selection of crops for the staff and community.   Give these people training of sustainable agricultural practices. 
• Business Development:  Work with the Cotopaxi office on developing the tourism side of both facilities.  Including a website, in which there is some PR on the facility and its aim for conservation and establishment of the Masvingo Wildlife Conservancy.  Liaising with tour operators and travel agents internationally to support the facility.  Development of a business plan and implementation timeline for the Simply Wild Facility.  

• Lion Breeding: Veterinary and Pre-Veterinary interns are asked to apply for involvement in this project which includes monitoring the 65 lions on site, developing a database of their 8 blood lines, breeding records, births, deaths, abortions, deworming, medical care, socialization.  Testing the lions for parasites, etc.   Interacting and raising of lion cubs, milk consumption, social interaction, and training of the cubs for non-hunting purposes. 
• Tourism/Business Marketing:  Generating marketing materials for a “Walk with Lions” facility geared towards families on Holiday, including all of the activities on the Lake, Kyle National Park, Acommodation, etc. 
• Buffalo Breeding and Management:  This facility will soon have 70 Foot and Mouth Disease Free Buffalo (in the process of finishing the fence required by Department of Veterinary Services).  Management of feed, grazing, births, deaths, tick dipping, water management, and testing for parasites. 
• Equine Management:  Some horses are at this facility for tourism purposes of horse rides into Kyle National Park, or on the conservation area.  Development of this operation is needed.
• Architecture or Landscape Design:  This site is being built for tourism.  Site plans are needed to add on to the existing infrastructure.  This would include a communal campground, lodge, and dining facility, as well as tourism operations on the new lakefront property.  

Both the Cotopaxi and Simply Wild properties would have additional projects that students could participate in such as Anti-Poaching patrols, horse rides and training, biological monitoring, community projects (e.g. teaching at primary or secondary schools), staff training, and ranch maintenance.

Who

Your hosts for both facilities will be Ron and Margaret Sparrow, and their generous family.   Biologist George Whitney is also on site and will be involved with projects.  There are many staff members at both facilities that you will be interacting with, at various degrees of experience. 

People with experience in any of the following fields are asked to apply with the time of year you are interested in:  Veterinary, Pre-Veterinary, Animal Science, Biology, Business, Agriculture, Permaculture, Engineering, Game Range Management, Holistic Management, Marketing, Architecture or Landscape Design, Construction Management, Ecology, Environmental Sciences or Management, Anyone with John Lyons certification, or anyone interested in working with local community development.  Please note that these are only suggested fields of experience, if you have a different background but are interested in this facility, please enquire.

Cost

The Cost for either the Cotopaxi or the Simply Wild Facilities is US$300 per week, per person. 

NOTE:  While Cotopaxi and Simply Wild are two different facilities, there is considerable overlap between the properties, and interns at one facility will be in close contact with interns at the other. 

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